During the Vietnam War, student protests played a small but pivotal role in turning public opinion against America's involvement in South Vietnam. Many groups formed to protest the war - groups like the Yippies, The Weather Underground, and Students for a Democratic Society. Yet, 70% of Americans felt that protests in Dec. 1967 were "acts of disloyalty." There's the thinking that the country should rally around the President during war time - no matter what. After the Tet Offensive, opinions on the war turned against it, and so did opinions of the President - both Johnson and Nixon. In Washington D.C. in November 1969 and and April 1971, over 1/2 million people showed up to protest the war. After the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, more average Americans began protesting the war:
"Many labor leaders spoke out for the first time, and blue-collar workers joined antiwar activities in unprecedented numbers. However, construction workers in New York assaulted a group of peaceful student demonstrators, and (with White House assistance) some union leaders organized pro-administration rallies." 2
A recent article from Common Dreams compared the two anti-war movements.
"America's current anti-war movement is resourceful and persistent, but often seems to lack the vibrancy of its counterpart in the Vietnam era when protesters burned draft cards, occupied buildings and even tried to levitate the Pentagon.
"America's current anti-war movement is resourceful and persistent, but often seems to lack the vibrancy of its counterpart in the Vietnam era when protesters burned draft cards, occupied buildings and even tried to levitate the Pentagon.
A lot of the opposition to Vietnam was motivated by people's fear of going to war - maybe it was pretty self-centered. With this movement, maybe it's not as big, but it comes from a deeper place than 'Hell No, We Won't Go.'
"We're not as unified, not as hard-core, not as big," said Frida Berrigan, 32, a board member of the War Resisters League and daughter of the late peace activist Philip Berrigan. "There's a reason there's not a draft."
"During Vietnam, the perception was that atrocities were everywhere - the military was looked down on," he said. "There is a serious effort now not to stigmatize the military - a conscious effort to say, 'This is not a bunch of baby-killers.'" 1
"We're not as unified, not as hard-core, not as big," said Frida Berrigan, 32, a board member of the War Resisters League and daughter of the late peace activist Philip Berrigan. "There's a reason there's not a draft."
"During Vietnam, the perception was that atrocities were everywhere - the military was looked down on," he said. "There is a serious effort now not to stigmatize the military - a conscious effort to say, 'This is not a bunch of baby-killers.'" 1
After the Iraq war began, criticism was somewhat muted, but there were worldwide protests in the hundreds of thousands. By August 2004, almost 500,000 rallied in NYC at the Republican National Convention where President Bush accepted his nomination to run for the presidency again. Since 2003, there have been sporadic protests, including Michael Moore's infamous blasting of President Bush at the Oscars after winning the award for Bowling for Columbine.
So, what do you think?
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not?
Things to think about: what exactly should be allowed as a protest? Everything? Marches, letters to the editor, sit-ins, etc.? Would you go as far as burning an American flag? What if the draft was reinstated? People were jailed during World War I for speeches (Eugene Debs) and passing out pamplets that called for an end to the war and the draft.
Due Monday, April 28th - minimum of 200 words.
Sources:
3. Iraq War pictures. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/03/19/us/0319-PROTEST_10.html
56 comments:
i think that it is not treasonous to protest a war while it is in progress. i beleive that being able to protest something that you do not beleive in is a part of free speetch, which is a part of what makes our country so neat. i think that people shouldn't be jailed for marching, or making speetches, or anything of that matter as long as they dont break any laws such as hurting people, or destroying property.
As long as it is unter control, protests should be allowed, even if that means being unpatriotic, of disagreeing with the government.
Megan Walsh
4th hour.
I believe that protesting a war during its duration is not a treasonous offense, but the protesting should have limits. A few of the things that is great about America are the freedom of speech and freedom of press rights that all people have. America has no right to take these privileges away from their citizens. There are two sides (at least) to every argument, and just because the people who wanted the war got their way, does it mean the anti-war supporters should just give up? Absolutely not!!!! I guess you could say that it is somewhat like the appeal process in the legal system. If you believe you are right, go out there and fight for it. Everything should be aloud as a protest, as long as it is not violent. Marches, letters to the editor, and sit ins are all good ways to protest but I would not go as far as burning the American flag. Even though you do not agree with the war, you still like other things about America, and should remain patriotic to the United States. If the draft was reinstated, protesters could only keep doing what they were doing to hope to make a difference, and most likely other people would join in on the protests. As for today, I do not believe that people would be jailed for giving speeches protesting the war.
Jacob Trunsky
4th hour
I think that protesting during a war is not a form of disloyalty. Americans have the right to freedom of speech, and this should also apply during war time, as long as they protest in a peaceful way, and it doesn’t harm any person or any property. Citizens of the United States protest all the time when there is no war going on, and this isn’t seen as disloyalty. Why should all of this change when the country starts fighting another nation? Aren’t both circumstances just people letting the president know they don’t agree with his decisions? Why is one scenario (during war) seen as disloyal, and the other (not during war) not seen as disloyal? The president should know that some people don’t agree with his choices, so he can take the whole country’s opinions into account. However, I deffinetly don’t think that it is nessecary to harm people or things during the protests. The point gets acorss the same way during a peaceful march as burning the American flag. Protesting should be restrained to marching, sit-ins, etc. They shouldn’t involve torching buildings, disturbing the properties of other people, or hurting other citizens. That way, they can show their views of the war without creating even more tension than the war already has.
Bethany Slon
In some ways I believe that protesting a war during war time is a treasonous offense but in some ways it isn’t an act of disloyalty. It is said that the people should support the President during the time of war, but I believe that the President should also listen to the people of his country before making a decision. When people protest a war I don’t think it should be a violent protest. I think that protesters should be allowed to speak their minds, write letters, have marches, and have sit-ins but I don’t think it’s always right to burn flags or burn yourself alive to make a statement. I think protesters should have speeches and marches but they shouldn’t turn violent, but the police should not turn violent against the crowds. If the draft was reinstated then I think that many Americans will be furious and scared. Many people will try to leave to or try to get out of fighting in the war. In my opinion protesting should be allowed, and the American people should be able to oppose the war and express their feelings. But sometimes a President makes a decision like going to war because he thinks that it is best for his countries safety.
Stefanos T. 2nd Hour
I think that protesting during a war time is not a treasonous offense. The reason why I think this is because anyone in the United States has the right to do anything that they would like to do. I do not think that it is not an act of disloyalty because people who are protesting are doing anything bad. Protesting a war isn't being disloyal. For a person to be disloyal, they would have to be some sort of traitor. What should be allowed to protest about is anything that people think should be protested about. If people want to protest by marching and writing letters, I think that it would be fine because the government can't do anything about. If I was at an protest March and someone was burning an American flag, I would stop them because I think that that is going to far for a protest. If the draft was reinstated, then I would try to think of a way not to go to war. But if I couldn't come up with a way not to go to war, then I would go to war and support my country with honor and die in honor thinking that I tried my best to save my friends and family.
Jake Cramer
I think that most protesting during times of war is a treasonous act. I believe that since “we the people” elected the president we shouldn’t turn on him in a time where it counts to stand united. There is a reason his (her) title is commander in chief. We should stand by our leader, and although I realize there are, and are going to be more times when we don’t completely agree on their methods of settling conflicts, we should at least support our troops. They are and will be in foreign land and on the home front fighting for us! And if we are protesting their effort, what kind of message is being sent to them? Definitely not one I would want to get if I possibly might die any minute for those very same people. This is America though and I adore our rights to assembly, speech, and press. As Americans we have freedom some can only dream about. This is why I don’t blame the people who protest wars. You are always going to have them, I just don’t agree with them. They may say that being loyal to their leader means being disloyal to themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to go around all anti-war. And whatever means of protesting people take in my opinion no matter how much you dislike the situation you should NEVER EVER, EVER, burn the American flag. That is indescribably disloyal. And if you need you voice to be heard, it would usually be more effective to call your congressman then to walk around your block with a poster.
Kelsey Kaline
5th hr
I think that protesting is ok during war time. It’s the voice of the people and it should be heard that they want it to end. If people did nothing during the war then the government wouldn’t know that the war was thought of badly. Even though many people thought it was bad for people to protest against it and showing disloyalty to the country it was what they thought and shouldn’t have been kept hidden. Protests can consist of anything. It could be a march or speeches. It shouldn’t go as far however when it comes to violence. If the police get involved then it should be turned down a little. And destroying of property should not occur. Like burning stores or destroying land. If there was a draft that came into act around the protest time then the people should have a right that says they don’t have to be drafted. Even though the draft says anyone called upon should go, people that are against it should have a say in it. Those who don’t care either way about the war should go though. Overall, protests should be allowed to occur during war time. It is the voice of the people and should be heard by the government. Telling them what they think about their choices.
Nick Theisen
4th hour
I believe that protesting should be allowed by law. I also believe that it isn’t anti-American or disloyal. People have a right to opinion. If a person knows in their heart that they truly hate something, then they have every right to express that hate. The constitution says we have a right to free speech. So, why can’t we be allowed to speak out against what we don’t believe in? It doesn’t make any sense. Most people that call protesters disloyal are older veterans. Any person who cared enough about America to join the Army is going to bash the protesters. They want “these kids today” to follow and “fight for democracy”. However, not every person is the same and they have their human right to be different, and not be mocked or jailed for it. In some cases though, it depends on how people protest. The kent State protesting was just college kids out on campus chanting and yelling. They were shot at. Something peaceful like that shouldn’t be hated. They may have fought back, but that was because tear gas was thrown at them. When riots break out and civilians are killed, then it seams bad, but simple chanting or pamphlets isn’t going to hurt anyone. Its just free speech. Also, stupid things like the Yippies look like dumb stoners: that seems disloyal. However, high or not, they have the right to show others their feelings.
Rob Salton
4th
I think that protesting a war while it’s going on is not treason. Especially if we were protesting the war before it began. So what, because you went ahead and started war, we’re supposed to up and change out minds? It doesn’t work like that. Protesting is our way of showing how strongly we feel about a situation. Yes, it should have it’s limits, so as not to get people killed, but we shouldn’t have to stop voicing our opinion to make you look good. That’s not fair to us, being that we were the ones that voted you into office. It’s you’re job as Pres to listen to what we have to say. I don’t think I would go as far as to burn our flag, because that represents all of us, not just one leader’s stupid decision. But speeches, pamphlets, and marches don’t physically harm anyone. There’s no reason why we can’t participate in those. We’re not insulting people-I can’t speak for the speeches- and we’re not attacking the white house or the soldiers and guards. So why are we being silenced? I don’t think that’s fair.
Alexandra Anderson 5th hour
Protesting during the war should not be considered a treasonous offense. U.S citizens have the right to share their opinion towards situations that we are dealing with. People should be able to express how they feel towards a certain situation even if they don’t agree with the presidential administration decisions. Everyone should be entitled to there own opinions and they shouldn’t be penalized for it. However, people that protest should not take it to the extent where they are damaging things or harming others. Burning buildings and damaging property doesn’t solve anything, but if people have a voice I think they should be able to express it through marches and nonviolent matters. I think doing something like burning the American flag is taking it way to far. They shouldn’t dislike their country or want to do burn/damage something that symbolizes their freedom. Citizens should be able to have their point of view valued. Although, I do believe that when a president makes decisions about the war, either way people in our country will be disappointed or upset, there will always be a percentage of people that are unhappy with the choices that are made. Protesting during the war shouldn’t be considered a treasonous offense because I know if I was unhappy about something I would want to stand up for it and show that something needs be done to fight for what I think is right.
During times of war, tens of thousands of American people here in our own nation are in pain, weather its a mother, brother, or cousin facing the fight in another country, or the painful memories of times previously fought, war is a touchy subject. American people take great pride in the simple liberties of freedom of speech, and press, but what about when we take that freedom to far? When the American people protest a war in another country that we are fighting in, the country as a whole does not look disloyal, it looks divided. No one should ever really 100% agree with its government, for there are far too many issues that are yet to be covered and the ones that are, well there are too many sides. When people protest, we are not only exerting our rights, we are also showing our personal opinions about the subject at hand. The voices that are not typically heard maybe because the government can’t hear them, or maybe because they won’t. Either way there is no disloyalty when voicing one’s opinion. Feelings maybe hurt and the childish may get bitter, but by no means should Americans feel as if they are letting down a country that would cater for their rights of its people instead of silencing us into a quiet unforeseen dictatorship. Besides, if the majority of people in the country are protesting a war, making the nation look divided, shouldn’t this be the perfect opportune for the government to change its tactics and in a country where the government is for the people, why not listen to its people and give them what they want. Peace.
-Angelina Bertoni 5th Hour
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not?
I do not believe that if you protest against a war that it should be treasonous offense or an act of disloyalty, if its done in a peaceful way. Our history of the United States is based on U.S. fighting for our freedoms. The freedom I=of speech, freedoms to protect, freedoms to elect our politicians have been fought by U.S. for hundreds of years. I believe protesting shows the world that you can have another opinion and be allowed to voice it. In the United States not everyone is going to agree with all decisions during a war. Questions are asked is fighting the war worth the cost of lives, dollars, economic resources. There is nothing wrong with asking questions or protesting for your beliefs. I do not think this is disloyal or illegal. It would be wrong if you helped the enemy or fought against your own country , that would be disloyal and a treasonous act.
Justin Laffer
5th hr
Michael Guz
4th Hour
I think protesting a war in any way that doesn’t harm other people is suitable, especially is it’s for something as serious as war. War is a very big thing and should only be used as a last resort, when everything else fails. If people feel we could avoid a war, they should express their opinion. If anything, protesting is more effective when there is a large audience like at the Oscars. If someone just says their opinion or burns one of their own possessions (even it it’s a flag) it should be accepted because it is the most effective and harmless way to get their point across. Protesters who burned themselves to death are the ones who brought it too far, possibly damaging witnesses for their entire lives and bringing harm to himself. If the draft was reinstated then I would be out there protesting because I wouldn’t want to go in to a war that I don’t support and I would not go. I think Kent State was a big event that showed that the government needs to deal with protesting better, but also that some protesters need to tone it down. The kids who broke store windows and throwing beer bottles at cars were just rioting and breaking the law and needed to be stopped. It just wasn’t handled in the right way and it was a big wake up call that protesting needs to be done and handled in the right way.
Emily Corless
2nd Hour
Americans should be allowed to protest against the war and speak their minds. If Americans do protest against the war they should protest with respect and loyalty to the government and the country. The protesters should be allowed to march and make signs. The protesters should make signs that are able to express the message across. Protesters should know that war can not stop immediately and that it takes time. During the war the protesters should also support the government. The government needs the peoples’ support just as much as the person needs the governments’ supports. Burning the American flag is disrespectful and disloyal. The burning of the flag is a sign that the American people do not trust and respect the country and their leaders. I think there would be lots of issues if the draft were reinstated. The government would be stricter now with the draft then back then. The government would draft people even if they were in college. During the Vietnam War if you were in college then you could not get draft. Today if you had flat feet you would probably be drafted. I think more people would flee to Canada if they reinstated the draft. I also think they will start drafting women.
Protesting a war during times of war is not disloyal and it is not wrong. In our constitution, we have freedom of speech and press. If we don’t agree with the war we should go out there and protest because we need to exercise our freedom of speech. People should be able to make banners and organize marches and protest about how they feel because of the majority of the country does not want to go to war then that should make the president reconsider. The draft should not be reinstated though. People who do not finish high school and college drop outs should join the army because they do not have any other way of making a living. You should not take away the future of kids that work hard and have a future. The government has to allow people to protest. People have the right of freedom to speak and they should not be stopped from it. People should not be jailed because of protesting because it is our right to freedom of speech. These are all the reasons why I believe that freedom of speech needs to be expressed during times of war.
robert g 5th
I don’t think that protesting a war while it is going on is treason. It is the people’s right to protest, by freedom of speech. Although vandalizing buildings and fighting the police is taking the protests too far. When violence becomes involved into a protest, people can get hurt, or even killed. I think that being patriotic is a good thing, but sometimes the President makes decisions that are not something to be proud of. The president needs to listen to the people and other voices, to make sure that it’s the right decision, and to make sure that decision is the right decision for the nation as a whole. During the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson tried to ignore the protests, but when most of the nation is against something, then that is when you have to start listening to the people and their views, rather then persecute them for their opinions. Those who say that it is treason to go against the president are wrong, because if you don’t question your leader, they may make a decision that you will later regret. Freedom of speech is what makes this country special; to embrace that everyone in the United States has a voice, and intelligent ideas and opinions that need to be heard.
Paul Sidlosky
5th Hour
Protesting anything including a war should never be considered a treasonous offense. It isn’t a matter of loyalty, but the very principles this nation was founded on. All Americans citizens are guaranteed the freedom of speech, assembly, press, and petitioning. They only reason these rights should be taken away is if they physically harm others during their protests. So during nonviolent protests, no one should arrested or beaten by the police. Just because society finds an idea is controversial or different doesn’t give the government any right to prevent people from expressing it. Flag burning is probably the most controversial form of protest, but it too is protected by the first amendment. People that burn flags are seen as anti-American by the rest of society. Maybe they are, but what they are really upset about is the state of the country at the time, not the country itself. The true patriots are the ones that speak up when they believe something is wrong with the nation they love. The only time protesters cross the line is when they use violence or trespass on private property. Other than that there is no line or free speech zone. Americans have the right to say what they want, even if it is anti-American government.
Stefan Rush
4th Hour
I think that protesting any war should be alright and that it’s not treason or disloyal to the country. People have the freedom of speech and are allowed to voice their opinion as long as they don’t do anything dangerous. Protesting shows the other side and sometimes that’s needed because other people and maybe higher officials can see why the idea they have is wrong. People should be able to spay what they think and give an opinion, because it is a country for the people, by the people, and of the people. People should be able to have an opinion even if it’s not the same as the government. So there should be no reason why they can’t protest.
Maher Abou-Rass
4th Hour
I think that there is nothing wrong with protesting a war while it is going on. Why would you start protesting after the war is over? The reason people protest is to bring about change and you can’t change things when there is nothing to alter. In an article a reporter stated that “America's current anti-war movement is resourceful and persistent, but often seems to lack the vibrancy of its counterpart in the Vietnam era...” I think that is something you can expect considering not as man people have been dieing in Iraq and there is currently no draft. We just have less to protest. I think that there is a line that some people have crossed in the past. I don’t think that I would have supported the Vietnam War had I been alive, but at the same time I would not have gone out burning an American flag. During times of crisis America should band together and show the world that we are a unified country. I do think that protesting war is alright if that is what you believe you just shouldn’t take it as far as some did. Everyone has their own opinions and that’s one of the things that makes the world so great but when the country is being pulled apart by a certain issue people should stick together to support our troops because that is what they need.
Ally 2nd hour
Protesting during a war is not committing treason. But treason is a very strong word, because treason is an act that has betrayed your country. Treason is like selling information to the other government of a rival country. So protesting isn't treason, but it still doesn’t help us. Because, when terrorists around the world see that our country is torn apart as a whole, they get motivation. They get motivation because on top of their strong desire to rule the world and create total chaos. They see that their target is politically weak. That they don't want to fight the terrorists anymore. But they also see the lack of support for the government and the bias towards the decisions that they make. They also know that this is a nation that does not even support the president that THEY put into office. Even though I have said all of this, people still have their own rights to their opinions. And they have every right to protest anything that they want. But when they do, they are also dividing our country. They are dividing it into who dislikes the current government and who supports them. And in the end that is not what is going to help us stop the terrorists in the Iraq war. And that is not going to help us restore the peace there and leave for home, knowing that we did the best job that we could.
Ben Tredwell
5th
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not?
I do not think it is treason to protest against war while the war is going on as long as you do it peacefully and do not cause any interference from the police. I think that it is not acceptable if you do it violently, like the civil rights protests when everyone was fighting and many people were being killed. If you organize a protest and notify authorities in advance about it I believe that there is nothing wrong with that as long as you do not cause any unneeded extra commotion where things could get out of hand and violence could break out because, if so I think it would be smart to have a couple of officials on the grounds to get it under control and postpone or cancel the protest. I also do not think it is a act of disloyalty you are just stating your opinion, as long as you do not root for the enemy such as Iraq and cheer American deaths or mistakes.
Ryan Gillis
5th Hour
I believe you should be able to protest a war if you truly believe that it is unjust. At the same time, i believe you should support the troops that have the job of fighting that war and hold them in high esteem. They did not make the war but they are doing a job that their boss, the president, has sent them to do. If some country was invading during the Vietnam War many of the troops were called killers when they came back home. They did not get the respect that our soldiers today get.
During the Vietman War, many people protested not because they thought the war was so horrible, but because the did not want to get drafted. Many people stayed in school just to help them stay out of the war longer. All men who were eligible were given a draft number and these were pulled in a lottery. About 70,000 men fled to Canada to evade the draft or to desert the military. I believe these people were cowards who just did not want to fight. When your government calls on you to serve, you must sere whether you agree with them or not.
During the Vietnam War, i have been told that many of the protesters were not really passionate about the war, but it was the "in thing to do". A motto of the time was "make love not war". At the time so many young people were protesting adult authority and the lifestyles of their parents. They were trying to make a statement. When they burned the American flag, I believe they were saying tehy hated America and what it stood for. I do not believe this should be allowed. You can disagree without complete disrespect. Today, I believe the protesters truly do not believe we should be in this war. They want the people of Iraq to stand on their own and run the country without us. As long as the protests are nonviolent they should be allowed. When we do not let citizens speak, we do not have a democratic society.
Megan Kitching 4th hour
i think protesting the war is not a bad thing. it shows what people really think about the war. the one think that is a problen with protesting during war time is that in the past it has caused alot of riots with people getting injured and killed, such as in Kent State were 4 people got killed from the natial guards men. during the vietnam war they had sit ins in solleges were they would educate people abput the war, and how to protest the war. the protestes were usually runned by the youth of that time because that is who it really affect when it came to the draft.
kathy kakoz
2nd hour
Lorne Carter
2nd Hour
I don’t believe it’s treason to protest a war. I consider protesting is marching, letters to the editor, and sit-ins. But I don’t consider burning an American flag as protesting. That is a pure example of treason. I think people shouldn’t be arrested for speeches and passing out pamphlets. It is one of our rights, Freedom of Speech, so if you want to keep this right you need not to discourage for fighting for it. I believe you’re sheltering the real world out there, there’re people out there who want us to fall and to destroy what we created it. And, because of these people we have to stand and protect these rights. I believe it’s alright to have your own opinion, but I believe you should keep your opinion about the government to yourself. You shouldn’t spread strife around to persuade others, but instead let them have them formulate there own thoughts about the government. I believe we should support our country in a time of war. If the draft is reinstated we shouldn’t flee but stand up and protect the freedoms and rights that our founding fathers had fought and died for. I hope that our founding fathers and the men and women in our armed forces didn’t die in vein.
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not?
I don’t think that protesting for war during when war is going on a treasonous offense because if you don’t believe in it or support the war, you have the right to express that you don’t like it. These freedoms are called freedom of speech. Don’t think its fair and respectful to the protesters who are just expressing how they feel. No it’s not an act of disloyalty because we don’t have the option to vote on the war, whether we want it or not, the president and congress get to decide on it. And the people have the right to oppose the decisions that aren’t made by them.
jourdan g
4th hr
I think that protesting a war while we are involved in it is considered to be treason or disloyal. In our constitution the first amendment gives us the right to free speech and the freedom of the press and the right to petition. We are not committing treason; we are simply vocalizing our rights as Americans. I think that if protesters turned to violence then we might be in a different situation, but a peaceful protest should not be considered by any means treasonous or an act of disloyalty. I feel that in incidents like Kent State we need to take charge and make arrests. I feel that lashing out violently is treason and should be punished. The other thing that I was shocked to hear is that if you were a veteran of the Vietnam War people disliked you. I think that is not treason but completely irrational, it was not the soldiers decision to go to war. The draft was started; they were forced in to service. People that did not go to war should always be happy to see living troops come home from war. I do not agree with some of the actions that were performed during the protesting, but I do not think that they were being disloyal. We should not burn the American flag under any circumstance but who are we to tell people that they cannot do that. Technically it is not disobeying any laws, it’s just stupid. So no, protesting war peacefully should not be considered disloyal or treason. Violent acts however, are disloyal and treasonous.
5th Hour
Fred Carington
I have mixed feelings when dealing with questions about protesting and if its right or not during the time of war. I feel that protesting is a very powerful way to get your word and your beliefs to the government, but at the same time I feel that it just creates more conflict. The way I see it, is that if our country is going through hard times due to war, like Vietnam, we should strand behind them and not create anymore problems then what is already going on. In the eyes of the president it must be very difficult to have to deal with any war and to have to deal with your own people protesting against your decision, that will not do any good. If anything, people shouldn’t protest and just let the government deal with the war to there fullest ability without any side “distraction”. No body likes war, no body wants it, but it is something that can’t really ever go away. So the people of America should trust that the government is trying to end any war that is going on and by protest it just creates a more of a stall for the ending of the war. I don’t see protesting as disloyalty because they are expressing there opinions and feelings. Protesting is not disloyalty but shouldn’t happen during time of war.
Ryan Bertrand
Hour 2
I do not think protesting a war during a time of war is a treasonous offense nor is it an act of disloyalty for many reasons. First not every body has to agree with the president or the government. That’s why we have laws such as the freedom of speech that allow us to express ourselves even if it’s against the government. Also when it is a time of war they have to pay for the war threw our taxes which mean us the citizens of the United States pay for it. If the government is going to take our money from us then we have the right to express to them where and how we think that they spend it. Also we have the right to express our thoughts about the war when we send are loved ones to go and fight risking their lives. I also do not think that if you don’t agree with the war that it means that you’re disloyal to the United States. If anything it shows that you care if you’re willing to take time out of your day to protest something that you feel might help your country. Also if they weren’t loyal to the United States then they wouldn’t do things like paying their taxes.
Tyler Howe 4th hr
I do not think that protesting a war is a treasonous offense, but it depends on the protests, there should be no violence involved. I think that mostly everything that goes along with a protest should be allowed, such as marches, letters to the editor, and even sit-ins. The thing about those acts that should make them allowed is that they aren’t being harmful to anyone or anything. Although, the biggest no no would be burning an American flag that is the most unpatriotic act someone could do. I am not sure why anyone would want to do that, but I know that there are people out there that would, and that is offensive to the country and definitely should not be allowed. If the draft was reinstated there would not be much for anyone to do because if it’s reinstated, it’s reinstated. The draft isn’t the best way to go though because it causes so much unnecessary problems because many people won’t want to go and will start ruckus about it. Things like what Eugene Debs did during World War 1, passing out pamphlets that called for an end to war and the draft should be allowed because it is freedom of speech. He was doing nothing wrong so why was he arrested. People have the freedom of speech so we should be able to use it.
Derek M.
5th Hour
Protesting the war while it is still going on should not be considered treason. Calling it treason would be unconstitutional because we have a freedom to think and say whatever we want. But certain protest do go too far. Burning an American flag would not be protesting the war but protesting America. But people have parades in support of gay pride and black heritage, then why wouldn’t people be allowed to march against the war? I will agree that certain types of protesting should be stopped including anything that puts the American people in danger. Like in the Kent State tragedy if the protesters become violent they should be stopped. I don’t agree with the way the protesters were stopped but nonetheless I think the police were right to try to break up the protesters. But if a protest isn’t hurting anyone except for the image of the president it should be allowed to continue. Putting someone in jail for marching or for a sit-in is completely against everything that America stands for. I do think that people should rally around the president but if people don’t want to, we can’t make them. It’s their right as an American citizen to choose to feel however they want.
Matt Bergin
4th Hour
Ryan Lyles
2nd Hour
I don’t think that protesting the war is a treasonous offense at all because a protest is only putting what peoples think out into the world for others to hear. It isn’t by any means forcing anybody to do anything but simply expressing our freedom of speech. I also think that it isn’t an act of disloyalty because, for example, if a half million people show up to protest a war like in April of 1971, then there are a lot of people who think that the war isn’t a good thing for America. How I’m thinking about it is that, not a half a million people would show up to a protest against a war at the very beginning of a war, or once troops are sent into war, but all of them would have to feel strongly enough so that they have a deeper reasoning than just thinking that war is not a good idea. Everything should be allowed as a protest. Just like art can have many forms, protests can have many forms, like sit-ins or speeches or marches. If protesting the wars are acts of disloyalty, but people still will protest against the president and go as far as burning an American flag, then the government should listen to some of it, not to follow all the protests, but to keep our safety and solve a way to lower the casualty rate of our wars for our American people.
I think that people should always be able to state their opinion. Protesting at war time is not treason, as long it is nonviolent. If you protest your opinion in a peaceful manner then I don’t see a problem. Demonstrations like marches and sit-ins are peaceful and they get the point across. I don’t really know about sending a letter to an authority. If you just wanted to tell them how you feel about the issue then I think it is fine, but if you are going to be nasty or threatening then that becomes treason. Burning an American Flag is not something I would do, or something I think you should do. It depends on how strongly you feel about the issue. I think that if people choose to burn the flag, you should do it the right way, and not just throw it on the fire, because that is very disrespectful. People should not have been arrested for speaking out about what they feel. The people of America have the freedom of speech and if someone wants to state an opinion then they should be allowed to. I think that protesting is not treason, as long as it is nonviolent, and peaceful.
Christy Slowinski
2nd hour
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not? In my opinion protesting war in the time of the war is not a bad thing to an extent. Marches and letters to the editor are fine but sit ins are going a little too far. It is not disloyalty. It is standing up for something you believe in or feel strongly about. Everybody has their freedom of speech. I was in a situation kind of like this one where I was protesting something I believe in. I attended the protest of the privatization of bus drivers and custodians. They will be loosing their jobs next year and I don’t think that’s right or fair. Whale we were outside protesting, the board meeting was going on inside the school. We glad to protest in the please and the time we did to make our point. The people who protested the war just wanted to get their point across just as the students who protested against privatization. Of course students protesting once will not change the mind of the board but the people protesting the war had to try more than once and we will too. It is not an offence it is something that has to be done. All any protesters want is peace!
Marin 5th hour
I believe that protesting a war during war time is not a treasonous offense, unless they get out of hand. I believe this because there is no law that says you can’t do this, and sense the United States is a free country then it shouldn’t be a federal offense. I also believe that protesting a war is not being disloyal to your country, unless the protests get out of hand. People have the right to say what they feel is right and if they want to do that by protesting, marching, saying speeches then that is okay. But if people go too far then I would not like it. For example, if people start rioting and hurting people, and taking the American flag and doing things too it, then I would say no to protests. I think that if the draft was reinstated that young men who were eligible for the draft would probably get freaked out and possibly leave the country for good to avoid the draft. I would try to do my best by finding a way to get out of the draft if it was reinstated, but if that wasn’t possible then I would go to war with honor and pride.
Andrew Littlefield
5th Hour
I think protesting a war during war time is not an act of disloyalty but may offended people. It is probably the most patriotic thing you could do for your country. The Bill of rights protects the rights to protest your government provided you do it peacefully. Its not disloyal because your expressing how you feel about the issue. Sure it may offend people but that is what America is about. It can’t be treasonous because it is are our first right as Americans. I don’t feel it being disloyal as long as there is a good reason behind the protest. If the war is pointless like the Iraq wars continuation then it would not be disloyal. Another reason to protest a war is if the war is un-American like the Vietnam war, where we felt it was necessary to force our beliefs upon the people of north Vietnam. By protesting this un-American war it made the protesters more American and patriotic. This war was unjust so the protesters are just in their cause but even if a war is just the protesters would still be just to protest because it is our first amendment under the bill of rights.
Raphael Egziabher
4th hour
No I don’t think that it is treason to protest a war while it is going on. I think this because everyone is going to have their own opinions on war and what is going on. Those people should be allowed to voice their opinion and show what they support. This should not be looked at as treason because it is not technically going against the country. It is peaceful and harmless most of the times. It is a way for people to express themselves and to show other people how they feel. America gives its citizens the freedoms to do this like the freedom of speech and assemble and other freedoms like that. So Americans are allowed to protest. Sometimes the reasons for the protesting are not the right reason to start or sometimes they can get violent. If protests do get violent then they should be terminated because violence is not the way to voice your opinions. Usually when there are protests it is against whatever the country is doing. This shows that you are not supporting the countries actions, but it does not mean that you are committing treason. It is good to support your country but it is also good to voice your opinion.
Jason Schreiber
4th hour
I think it is ok to protest a war to a certain extent. The kind of protests that I think are ok are: a march in the streets, bumper stickers when they are saying "stop the war", speeches, etc... I also think that it is a good idea for people to write letters to newspapers giving their viewpoints on the war.
I don't think it is ok to scream in the streets, be violent and rude, burn flags, etc... It sends a wrong message to our country and other countries around the world watching us that Americans solve their problems with violence.
I guess everyone has the right to express what they think and express their opinions with a limit, this is not making them guilty of treason. People should not be jailed or arrested for protesting a war in a peaceful way. Some of the protests can be good because they can raise awareness of the issues, and how many people are dying every day because of the war.
Audrey Hamelin
5th Hour
I do not think that protesting should be considered disloyal or unpatriotic. If anything I think it is a demonstration of your pride in our nation. America was built on principles that allow for protests and the right of free speech. Exercising that right is not in any way against America. I think that protest should be encouraged and listened to. As long as people always stay peaceful and obey the law they should be supported. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with your country. If I were president I would encourage these demonstrations. I think that the protests during the Vietnam War were perfectly fine. As long as the crowds did not become violent they should not have been penalized. I think that burning flags is a little unnecessary. If you need to protest you should be protesting what your country is doing not what your country is. If you’re against your country then leave. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing over politics or anything like that. I think that draft is unconstitutional and if reinstated it should be protested. It is a direct violation of free will and the fact that this crime is committed by our very own government is horrible and unlawful.
Sarah Zamler
5th hour
I think that it is okay to protest against the government and protest against wars as long as it is a peaceful protest and you are respectful towards the government. As long as you do those two things and keep your protest under control and from getting out of control I don not think that it should be considered treason. The second amendment to the Constitution gives you the freedom of free speech, so if the government did not allow you to protest them then it would be a violation of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution. The reason America broke away from England was because the English government would not listen to them and because they had no rights. Because of America’s roots and this reason people should be allowed to protest and keep the government from getting to powerful and so that the people can have a voice and so that they can voice their voice. Even while a war is going on in it okay to protest it. Personally I would stick behind whatever the government does and support them but in the case that you strongly disagree you have the right to protest and the war and say whatever you want.
Phil Bolton
I do not think that it should be considered treason to protest the war while one is going on. As Americans, we broke free from British rule in order to get the rights we now have today. To say we don’t have the right to say what we want even if it’s against the war means that our rights mean nothing. Although it is not necessarily a good thing to disagree with your government, I think that one should have the right to protest against whatever they want. War is never a good thing, even government officials know that. With war comes violence and destruction, and many casualties, who wants that? It is completely understandable to protest a violent act such as war. To take away our right of freedom of speech means to take away our freedom as Americans. I don’t want an event like that at Kent State, but I do not think that it should be considered treason just because you do not see eye to eye with the president. I think that the protesters should also try to see what its like in the presidents shoes, because maybe then they’d be less pushy towards peace, but to try to make it a crime against protesting is just wrong.
TJ Hyland 5th Hour
I think that protesting a war while it’s still going on, is not at all treason. Protesting showing how somone feels about a situation. It should hav rles so that people wont get killed but i think people have there right and opinion to make a statment. burning our flag doesnot repr. all of us because somone decided to do something stupid. There is absoulutly nothing wrong with disagreeing with our gov. politics
ashley davis
I think that it isn’t treasonous to protest during a war because what other time would it be best to oppose the war and get the people to really think about what they doing? You can’t wait till after the war to protest because it wouldn’t make sense; I mean the war is already over…what’s your point? And people also have a right to free speech and the government never said when you can protest and when you can’t (right?). Also I don’t think it’s an act of disloyalty because you’re not opposing your country or government; you’re just opposing the decision they have made to go to war. Every body has their own opinions about something and if somebody or people want their voice to be heard then they’re entitled to that. Protesters also have the right to march, send letters to editors and do sit-ins, it was done before and it can be done again. However, to go as far as burning the flag is total betrayal and revulsion towards your country; and that cannot be justified in any way. Hypothetically speaking, if the draft was reinstated many people would protest and probably want to overthrow the government; and maybe, just maybe, hypothetically speaking, America would turn communist.
Nikita Charles 4th hour
I think that protesting the war is not treason. When protesting is done peacefully and in a dignified manner, I think that it can be a healthy way to let the voices is heard of the people that are against the war. After all don’t we have the right of free speech and the right to freedom of the press? As long as the protests are nonviolent and have an arguable point, they are not treasonous. But let’s be honest, can we really say that people who protest the war are really patriotic at all? Well at least they won’t be until the war is over. People who stand against any war are not supporting the country. I think the most patriotic thing to do is to follow the president no matter what, we should leave the criticism for when the war is over, because if the president doesn’t listen to you the first time, what makes you think he will listen the second time? I think that if the president asks for full support, he should get it no matter what. Protesting just gives the people more reason to go against the president, and the people that are pro war get more incentive to hate the people that are anti war. In the end it just divides the country in time of war, and that is the last thing America needs.
Matt Bajorek
4th
Protesting during a time of war isn’t treasonous or disloyal because it is one of the guaranteed rights in the Bill of Rights. The American people have a right to freedom of assembly and speech no matter what time. The people who were protesting the Vietnam war were simply expressing what they thought which not disloyal. The people of the United States have the right to or not to back the President in times of war. Our country is built so that the people have the right to express how they feel about power authorities. It is not disloyal to disagree with the President’s decisions or protest them. That is exercising the rights given to us by the Constitution. In the Vietnam War many people who opposed the protestors, joined them after the Tet Offensive. That doesn’t make them disloyal. That only means that they disagree with the war and are expressing it in a peaceful manner. However, protesting can go too far. While sit ins, peaceful marches, and letters to the editor may be ok, burning the American flag is disloyal to America. By burning a country’s flag you are showing disrespect for that country and if you are a citizen of that country you are being disloyal to it.
Robbie Lewis
5th Hour
No, I do not believe that protesting a war during war time is a treasonous offense. From a governmental stand point, we are specifically given the freedoms that allow us to protest a war, including freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, and, in the words of the constitution, the freedom to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Our country is built around the premise of the first amendment; so therefore, it would be highly hypocritical to say that it is a treasonous offense to protest a war. Now, whether or not it is an act of disloyalty, it is hard to say. On one side, you can make the argument that, no matter what, we must always support our government; That we must stay united as a country in order to defeat our enemy; That by protesting the war, you are a traitor, that you don’t want our country to succeed or prosper. Or you can look on the other side, and make the argument that is our duty to protest an injustice, in this case an unjust war. (Like Martin Luther King once said, “[an] injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”) You can say that our forefathers wanted us to protest these types of things because they gave us these freedoms for this exact reason. In the end, I think that, while war is not a treasonous offense, it definitely can be nuisance. And yet, sometimes it is necessary, to protest an injustice. Ultimately, I think Randy Marsh (from South Park) said it best when he said, “The strength of this country is to do one thing and say another.”
Tyler Friedman
5th Hour
I think that protesting is okay in some circumstances, but for the most part it is just a nuisance. If protesting is peaceful then its fine, but when truly horrible things are occurring, like the burning of American flags and torching of buildings, it is definitely going too far and people should be punished accordingly for their actions. The president has a lot on his plate, and protesting just creates more of a conflict. If people really wanted to help their country out, they would look for other ways, like sending food, money or supplies to soldiers. This is not to say that all protests are bad. Some protests are perfectly safe and harmless, and can help change crucial aspects of our country. Other times, they are simply unpatriotic. Storming upon the White House lawn is a good way to get hurt. When people say it’s the officials’ fault for bringing the violence, they are just trying to protect the good of the people. Protesting should never be violent or get out of hand. Disturbing the peace of others is not a good goal for a protest, otherwise it is causing more of a problem. A war is something that nobody wants to fight, but sometimes it is helpful to stand behind the president and trust him in his decisions.
Claire Hayes
2nd hour
I think that protesting the war is not a treson though it is a right to all people to do what they think they should do to try to stop such a war. I guess when you think about it, that people sometimes don't realize what it really feels like for a loved one a friend or eevn yourself to go into such a high step that may even get you killed. But some poeple in this world who i think that really should pay attetion to what is happening in this day in time. the war is nothing but a symbol of hatred and defeat, war is symply a word that almost means to kill, but when your loved one comes up to you and says that he/she is going to war/to kill to be hated by the other country just becuase they could not have there way in life. So no i do not think that protesting is not disloyal bcuase it is actually or who ever i think who says that it is disloyal all they are doing is provoking the sense on what WAR really means. I say protest beucse we can never end this race, fight, war alone......
By:Lydia Giaters
5th hour
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not?
No protesting is not treason because the people do not get to choose to go to war or not. The president gets to choose to go to war and the people don’t have a vote. So it’s not really going against the country when only one person gets to decide to go to war or not. Also its not always the U.S benefits to go to war. So fighting against something that is only hurting us is more supporting your county than going against it. Plus the first amendment says we have the freedom of speech. By not letting us protest the war and put out our thoughts that is breaking the first amendment. By deny our right to freedom of speech denies us of our American rights. I believe that if people want to fight against the war that they should have every right to fight against it. Not one person is the same nor thinks the same so of course everyone else is going to have different thoughts on wars. So you will always have people for something or against it.
Emma Schwartz
4th Hour
Nicole Niezgocki
4th hour
In my opion, i think it is ok to protest the war while it is going on. A protest is a way to voice your opions, and have other poeple join in on your feelings. As long as it's a peacefull protest, then there is no need to object having someone state what they feel. People have the freedom of speech, as long as it doesn't hust anyone in the making. If you don't let someone state how they feel, we are not following the rules to what our country made, so we could all be happy. Also, you have the feedom of press, so no one can tell you not to write down your feelings, and your opions! No one can tell you not to state how you feel.
Ryan L.
2nd Hour
I don’t think that protesting the war is a treasonous offense at all because a protest is only putting what peoples think out into the world for others to hear. It isn’t by any means forcing anybody to do anything but simply expressing our freedom of speech. I also think that it isn’t an act of disloyalty because, for example, if a half million people show up to protest a war like in April of 1971, then there are a lot of people who think that the war isn’t a good thing for America. How I’m thinking about it is that, not a half a million people would show up to a protest against a war at the very beginning of a war, or once troops are sent into war, but all of them would have to feel strongly enough so that they have a deeper reasoning than just thinking that war is not a good idea. Everything should be allowed as a protest. Just like art can have many forms, protests can have many forms, like sit-ins or speeches or marches. If protesting the wars are acts of disloyalty, but people still will protest against the president and go as far as burning an American flag, then the government should listen to some of it, not to follow all the protests, but to keep our safety and solve a way to lower the casualty rate of our wars for our American people.
I do not think it’s treasonous to protest the war while it’s going on. Our country is run by the people, and if some people don’t agree with what’s going on, they should be able to voice their opinion, not to mention Freedom of Speech is one of our Rights. I think as long as people are having a peaceful protest such as a match or a speech it should be allowed, it’s the peoples way of getting through to the government that they don’t agree with what’s going on. I also don’t think people should be jailed for any kind of nonviolent protest because it’s the governments to choice to listen to them or not to.
Jessica Keyes
4th hour
Blog # 20
I do not think that protesting any war before, during, or after should be seen as a treasonous offense. If people want to have a peaceful protest, then they should be able to without being harassed by the police or anyone else. The real problems begin when the protest gets out of hand and unruly. I think that only at this time should police and law enforcement get involved in the protest. I also don’t think that it is disloyal to your country. You can disagree with decisions that the government has made and still be proud to be an American. Protesting is just a way to show people that you disagree with what your country is doing. I think that any peaceful form of a protest should be allowed. Marches, letters, and sit-ins are peaceful and usually don’t disrupt other citizens daily life. I don’t think that people should go as far as burning the American Flag. The flag has always been a symbol of unity in our country, and even if you don’t agree with what our country is doing, you shouldn’t burn something so symbolic. If the draft was ever reinstated, I think that the entire country would be chaotic. Many people would leave the country and try getting out of the draft before they were drafted. I think that the best thing to do right now is leave Iraq and bring our troops home so that our country will never have to get to that point.
Katie B.
I think that protesting is ok during war time. its not like people are dieing because of it. its the voice of the people that should be heard that they want it to end. Even though many people thought it was bad for people to protest against it and showing disloyalty to the country. it shouldn’t go as far like when it comes to violence. If the police get involved then it should be turned down a little. And destroying of property should not happen like burning stores or destroying land. If there was a draft that happend around the protest time then the people should have a right that says they don’t have to be drafted. Even though the draft says anyone called upon should go, people that are against it should have a say in it.
Chris Giles
4th hour
Is protesting a war during war time a treasonous offense? Is it an act of disloyalty? Why or why not?
I don’t think that it is a treasonous offence to protest a war while its going on. I also don’t think that it is an act of disloyalty either. Protesting the war is your choice. I don’t that that people should be punished for what they believe is right. If people think that the war is a bad idea and want to being that public, then they should have the right to. Its called the right to your own opinion. It shouldn’t matter what the government thinks about your actions. Anyways wasn’t it the government that came up with the freedom of speech? If the government though that protesting a war while it was going on was a crime, then we would have a return of what happened when people protested the Vietnam War, and look how that turned out. The police took that too far and people got hurt. And even after one protest rally being broken up by the police, the protestors came back. That proves that if protesting the war is really what you believe in then you should have the right to.
Carleigh Bechtolt
I think that it is disloyal to the troops if america dont support the troops because you are suppose ti support your country and you not supporting them will not make them feek like one. As in one, i mean as whole country. Being in america you are suppose to be united
rae 2nd hour
Treasoning should not go on during a war. My reason for stating this is because it cause mental stress towards the troops or whoever is involed in the war. By mental stress i mean the troops could cause themselves to get hurt or suicide. Also one of the treasoner's could get hurt themselves. If you mouth of the wrong words to someone and throw signs in there face there will most likely be reprecussion to pay.
Tommy Syrkett 2nd hour
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